First- TRY THIS and then continue reading...
Either way this election will meet historic levels; either a black man will be President or a woman will be Vice President and both are truly remarkable events in our history! I feel every American will be able to tell their children "you can be anything you want to be when you grow up, even President of the United States" and truly mean it! Now, having stated my warm fuzzies...here are the rest of my thoughts:
"Families making more than $250,000 will pay either the same or lower tax rates than they paid in the 1990s. Obama will ask the wealthiest 2% of families to give back a portion of the tax cuts they have received over the past eight years to ensure we are restoring fairness and returning to fiscal responsibility. But no family will pay higher tax rates than they would have paid in the 1990s." 7.5 million working mothers will benefit from Obama's tax plan, 7 million seniors won't even be taxed, 10 million homeowners will get a mortgage tax credit, and he will work to close those loopholes that have Republicans worried. Only the top 2% of households would see an increase, and even then it would only be an increase of 3%- living in the middle class, working in the middle class, and raising my children in the middle class- I'm in favor of tax reliefs for the majority and against the wealthiest of Americans getting all the tax breaks.
I guess I am turning into a Liberal- definitely good to know!
Lowering taxes for the wealthy is a Republican thing. They have been getting tax breaks while the rest of the economy is suffering and it's not fair. Shouldn't the MAJORITY reap some of the benefits? Republicans seem to believe you just have to "work harder" to get out of poverty and break the cycle. Well guess what? They are blind and have never been in a situation like that- it's not as simple as that. It's nice to be among the privileged in our country. My mother was on welfare and I still had my needs met. I was able to attend a good college because I had the opportunity to think only about MYSELF and MY future. Many never get that chance. Many can't afford to go to college and NOT be supporting their brothers and sisters. I could go on and on. But yes, I am a Liberal.
I believe in equal rights for women. I believe in equal rights for gays and lesbians. I believe in the redistribution of wealth. If I suddenly make over $250K in one year, guess what? by all means, the government can take their fair share because I have been blessed enough to make a decent income. I am willing to share that wealth because it truly benefits us all. One way or another, we will be spending our money on the poor and underprivileged; either through welfare, education tax credits, medicaid/medicare, orphaned children, or prisons. Either way I am willing to share my money for the greater good of this nation and I trust our President to do it. I don't however have that much trust in the American people- given what they have shown over the past two years in preparing for this election!
And one more thing- I don't want my taxes continuing to fight a useless war; one that can't be "won". I'm ready for my friends' husbands to return home and start focusing on OUR COUNTRY. Indeed I am a Liberal.
And I studied anthropology for 5 years. I learned tolerance. I learned acceptance. I learned we don't live in an Utopian society. I learned that in a true democracy all members of the society have equal access to power (right now those who have the money have all the access) and that all members enjoy universally recognized freedoms and liberties (right now those freedoms and liberties are not available to ALL AMERICANS). So many people have this belief that unrealistic ideals can be achieved through capitalism, commercialism, and exploitation (often of intangible goods like "happiness" or at the expense of those living below the poverty level). My mom was on welfare while we were living in Oklahoma. I grew up on food stamps. And we consider ourselves BLESSED that a government program was available to help. My dad left. My mom started working two jobs. I was a latch key kid. My brother got a job to help my mom pay the bills. DO YOU THINK WE DESERVED THAT?! and we were one of the lucky ones.
So YES- I will allow the government to take my money and distribute it to the places they deem worthy and necessary. And while I disagree with the war, if my President chooses to continue spending trillions of dollars and thousands of American lives in the name of "democracy" in a foreign country that has not been changed in over 2,000 years then I will allow it because he is our President. I still believe in our government. And I choose to support a candidate who has the greatest chance of changing corrupt government and shifting the focus back to Americans.
And while I'm at it...here are my thoughts on Prop 8:
I feel marriage should be sanctioned by religious affiliations and that the government should STAY OUT OF IT completely. We should all be entered into a "domestic partnership" with our mates as far as the law is concerned; however that is not the case as the government MAKES it their business to spell it out for us. And since the government makes it their business, they have an obligation to be fair and to give equal access to all members of society and to allow ALL members universally recognized freedoms and liberties as well as equal protections and sanctions (which are currently not available to ALL AMERICANS).
People are being discriminated for the type of lifestyle they choose to live. It wasn't that long ago that interracial (sp?) marriages were illegal and highly denounced publicly at best. Our country is founded upon "liberty and justice for all". Does "separate but equal" racial laws not ring a bell? 1,138 rights are given to heterosexual married couples, same sex domestic partnerships leave out a GREAT DEAL of those rights and must be (and have been) fought for one bill at a time. Bottom line, Prop 8 writes discrimination against one group of people into our US Constitution and regardless of my religious beliefs, that is still wrong.
**wow that feels good to get all my thoughts out "on paper"! I realize people feel just as strongly in the opposite direction, and by all means, I support your decision. However my own conscience tells me to vote for Barack Obama and that is exactly what I will do! (and you better do the same for the candidate you deem most qualified to handle the position!)
GET OUT AND VOTE!
**and if my mumbling was too boring- check out what Crazy Beautiful has to say regarding the issue (don't worry, it's a short post!)
"Families making more than $250,000 will pay either the same or lower tax rates than they paid in the 1990s. Obama will ask the wealthiest 2% of families to give back a portion of the tax cuts they have received over the past eight years to ensure we are restoring fairness and returning to fiscal responsibility. But no family will pay higher tax rates than they would have paid in the 1990s." 7.5 million working mothers will benefit from Obama's tax plan, 7 million seniors won't even be taxed, 10 million homeowners will get a mortgage tax credit, and he will work to close those loopholes that have Republicans worried. Only the top 2% of households would see an increase, and even then it would only be an increase of 3%- living in the middle class, working in the middle class, and raising my children in the middle class- I'm in favor of tax reliefs for the majority and against the wealthiest of Americans getting all the tax breaks.
I guess I am turning into a Liberal- definitely good to know!
Lowering taxes for the wealthy is a Republican thing. They have been getting tax breaks while the rest of the economy is suffering and it's not fair. Shouldn't the MAJORITY reap some of the benefits? Republicans seem to believe you just have to "work harder" to get out of poverty and break the cycle. Well guess what? They are blind and have never been in a situation like that- it's not as simple as that. It's nice to be among the privileged in our country. My mother was on welfare and I still had my needs met. I was able to attend a good college because I had the opportunity to think only about MYSELF and MY future. Many never get that chance. Many can't afford to go to college and NOT be supporting their brothers and sisters. I could go on and on. But yes, I am a Liberal.
I believe in equal rights for women. I believe in equal rights for gays and lesbians. I believe in the redistribution of wealth. If I suddenly make over $250K in one year, guess what? by all means, the government can take their fair share because I have been blessed enough to make a decent income. I am willing to share that wealth because it truly benefits us all. One way or another, we will be spending our money on the poor and underprivileged; either through welfare, education tax credits, medicaid/medicare, orphaned children, or prisons. Either way I am willing to share my money for the greater good of this nation and I trust our President to do it. I don't however have that much trust in the American people- given what they have shown over the past two years in preparing for this election!
And one more thing- I don't want my taxes continuing to fight a useless war; one that can't be "won". I'm ready for my friends' husbands to return home and start focusing on OUR COUNTRY. Indeed I am a Liberal.
And I studied anthropology for 5 years. I learned tolerance. I learned acceptance. I learned we don't live in an Utopian society. I learned that in a true democracy all members of the society have equal access to power (right now those who have the money have all the access) and that all members enjoy universally recognized freedoms and liberties (right now those freedoms and liberties are not available to ALL AMERICANS). So many people have this belief that unrealistic ideals can be achieved through capitalism, commercialism, and exploitation (often of intangible goods like "happiness" or at the expense of those living below the poverty level). My mom was on welfare while we were living in Oklahoma. I grew up on food stamps. And we consider ourselves BLESSED that a government program was available to help. My dad left. My mom started working two jobs. I was a latch key kid. My brother got a job to help my mom pay the bills. DO YOU THINK WE DESERVED THAT?! and we were one of the lucky ones.
So YES- I will allow the government to take my money and distribute it to the places they deem worthy and necessary. And while I disagree with the war, if my President chooses to continue spending trillions of dollars and thousands of American lives in the name of "democracy" in a foreign country that has not been changed in over 2,000 years then I will allow it because he is our President. I still believe in our government. And I choose to support a candidate who has the greatest chance of changing corrupt government and shifting the focus back to Americans.
And while I'm at it...here are my thoughts on Prop 8:
I feel marriage should be sanctioned by religious affiliations and that the government should STAY OUT OF IT completely. We should all be entered into a "domestic partnership" with our mates as far as the law is concerned; however that is not the case as the government MAKES it their business to spell it out for us. And since the government makes it their business, they have an obligation to be fair and to give equal access to all members of society and to allow ALL members universally recognized freedoms and liberties as well as equal protections and sanctions (which are currently not available to ALL AMERICANS).
People are being discriminated for the type of lifestyle they choose to live. It wasn't that long ago that interracial (sp?) marriages were illegal and highly denounced publicly at best. Our country is founded upon "liberty and justice for all". Does "separate but equal" racial laws not ring a bell? 1,138 rights are given to heterosexual married couples, same sex domestic partnerships leave out a GREAT DEAL of those rights and must be (and have been) fought for one bill at a time. Bottom line, Prop 8 writes discrimination against one group of people into our US Constitution and regardless of my religious beliefs, that is still wrong.
**wow that feels good to get all my thoughts out "on paper"! I realize people feel just as strongly in the opposite direction, and by all means, I support your decision. However my own conscience tells me to vote for Barack Obama and that is exactly what I will do! (and you better do the same for the candidate you deem most qualified to handle the position!)
GET OUT AND VOTE!
**and if my mumbling was too boring- check out what Crazy Beautiful has to say regarding the issue (don't worry, it's a short post!)
w000t! that's right!
ReplyDeleteget out and vote!
Great post, Mandi. We coulda been friends . . . :)
ReplyDeleteI found your blog via Lexi Majoue and then Erika.
I totally agree! This is the same conversation that Bob and I have been having. I always thought I was a Republican because my grandparents were. But every time an election comes around I realize I'm more Liberal. And I hate that Utah is making a big deal about Propersition 8. They are saying that the LDS church is involved and that Pres. Monson said to vote against it. The prophet would NEVER tell us how to vote... grrr. I could go on....
ReplyDeleteThe only groups that really see any improvement in quality of life from higher taxes are the politicians and lobbyists. And working in government I can tell you that for every dollar you pay in taxes to help the poor and needy, a large portion of it never makes it out of the bureaucratic pipeline. Excuse me, but let me keep my money and "redistribute it" how I see fit and you can do the same. This type of socialist plan only makes the statement that Americans are not charitable enough to help others on their own, so the gov't must mandate it.
ReplyDeleteOh, and I agree, a marriage license filed with the state should be regarded the same as a business license and thus no limitations as to who is involved.
(a message waiting in my inbox)
ReplyDeleteMandi --
I'm about to head to Grant Park to talk to everyone gathered there, but I wanted to write to you first.
We just made history.
And I don't want you to forget how we did it.
You made history every single day during this campaign -- every day you knocked on doors, made a donation, or talked to your family, friends, and neighbors about why you believe it's time for change.
I want to thank all of you who gave your time, talent, and passion to this campaign.
We have a lot of work to do to get our country back on track, and I'll be in touch soon about what comes next.
But I want to be very clear about one thing...
All of this happened because of you.
Thank you,
Barack
**mr president, sir, I am HONORED!
Amen.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, you spelled interracial correctly.
I do NOT want to stir anything up and I totally respect y'all's views, but I just need to correct your friend - the church did come out with a statement about Prop 8 and President Monson did personally ask members to support it. People actually were given callings to help get the word out.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/commentary/the-divine-institution-of-marriage
BUT that being said - as members we are also counseled to vote "according to the the dicates of our own conscience" - so no one should dog you for your own beliefs on the matter (me included!). Heck, Steve Young's wife publically came out against it. And yes, even though I felt I had to vote for the other guy because of Obama's stance on abortion, the victory was sweet and awesome!